Pygmy mouse lemur

Pygmy mouse lemur
Conservation status
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Strepsirrhini
Family: Cheirogaleidae
Genus: Microcebus
Species: M. myoxinus
Binomial name
Microcebus myoxinus
Peters, 1852[3]
Distribution of M. myoxinus[1]

Pygmy mouse lemur (Microcebus myoxinus), also known as Peters' mouse lemur or dormouse lemur, is a primate weighing only 43–55 g (1.5–1.9 oz); it is the second smallest of the mouse lemurs.[4] Its dorsal side is a rufous-brown colour, and creamy-white ventrally. It lives in dry deciduous forests.

The pygmy mouse lemur measures around 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in) (head-body length).[4] Its small size and nocturnal nature made it difficult to locate for over a century, and was rediscovered in the Kirindy forest in western Madagascar in 1993. They are believed to inhabit other parts of the island, but so far have only been discovered in a localized area.

The lemur rests during the day, and it has a tendency to sleep in the open, which increases the risk of predation; although this danger is somewhat mitigated by sleeping alone. It can also use the abandoned nests of the Coquerel's giant mouse lemur (Mirza coquereli).

References

Wikispecies has information related to: Pygmy mouse lemur
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Baden, A. et al. (2014). "Microcebus myoxinus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 2014-06-15.
  2. ↑ "Checklist of CITES Species". CITES. UNEP-WCMC. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  3. ↑ Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M, eds. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 113. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mittermeier, R.A.; Konstant, W.R.; Hawkins, F.; Louis, E.E. et al. (2006). Lemurs of Madagascar. Illustrated by S.D. Nash (2nd ed.). Conservation International. ISBN 1-881173-88-7. OCLC 883321520.